The essential meanings of this Minor Arcana card from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.

Upright: The Five of Cups upright symbolizes loss, regret, and grieving over what didn’t go as hoped. It often appears when you're focusing on something that went wrong or mourning a disappointment. The figure on the card sees only the spilled cups, not the two still full behind him, suggesting that not all is lost. Upright, this card invites you to feel your feelings of sadness or regret, but also to acknowledge what remains and what can be salvaged. It’s a reminder that healing comes from accepting the past and eventually turning around to see new possibilities.

Reversed: The Five of Cups reversed is a heartening sign of moving on and finding hope again. It indicates that the period of grief or regret is easing – you may be starting to see those two standing cups and realizing that all is not lost. Reversed, this card suggests forgiveness (perhaps of yourself or someone else) and the ability to let go of past disappointments. It’s about picking up the pieces and finding that silver lining. By focusing on what you still have or what you've learned, you can begin the process of emotional recovery and renewal.

Three Possibilities

The secrets of this card for heart, mind and soul.

Love: A cloaked figure mourns spilled cups, unaware of the two full vessels behind. Loss, regret, and heartache weigh heavy, but all is not lost. This card speaks of sorrow in love, yet also of hope—of love that still remains, waiting to be embraced when the heart is ready to turn toward it.

Career: A setback or disappointment in your career casts a shadow over recent efforts. A project may have failed, an opportunity may have slipped away, but not all is lost. Lessons remain, and new chances will arise when you are ready to look forward rather than back.

Spirituality: The spiritual path is not without grief, for with growth comes loss. This card reminds you that while some beliefs or attachments must be mourned, the journey continues. What remains is a soul tempered by experience and ready for renewal.